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| Science experiment |
The Southwest Center for Rural
Initiatives (SCRI), under the auspices of
SU Ag Center sponsored Northeast Elementary School 4-H National Youth Science
Day (NYSD) event on October 15. Youth in St. Landry Parish joined hundreds of
thousands of youth across the world in leading the eighth annual 4-H National
Youth Science Day experiment, which combined cars, calculators and cell
phones to show how physics principles influence a pressing problem among U.S.
teens. This year’s experiment was titled ‘Motion
Commotion.’
The City of Opelousas Mayor Reggie
Tatum and School Principal Mrs. Daphne Guillory were on hand to welcome
participants, faculty and students to the event.
The Northeast Elementary School Science
Teacher, Mr. Brandon Book revealed to the participants why science is important
and the need for students to continue to embrace it.
About 157 students
from Northeast Elementary School participated in the event. Students conducted
the two-part ‘Motion Commotion’ experiment at the school’s court yard. They
used every day materials – including a toy car, modeling clay, ruler,
calculator and a cell phone – to explore physics in the real-world.
In the first phase
of the experiment, youth constructed a simulated runway to analyze the speed,
momentum and kinetic energy of a car in motion, and explored the science behind
the car’s collisions. In the second phase, they led an experiment using the
same physics principles to demonstrate the consequences of distracted driving.
“It is important for teens to learn basic
concepts related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and how
the subjects can be related to driving,” said William Augustine, Extension
Associate and Science Day Event Organizer.
“Providing youth in
rural areas with an interactive and engaging science experiment is always a
joy; however, it’s imperative to also provide the students with a lesson they
will need and utilize for a lifetime.” added Dr. Wanda Burke, Director, SCRI.
All teachers,
students, 4-H leaders and guests were recognized at the conclusion of the
event. Television coverage of the event
aired on KATC
3, October 15, 2015.
4-H NYSD is the
world’s largest, youth-led science experiment. The national day is dedicated to
engaging kids with science through a hands-on, interactive learning experience
that gets youth excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM). The event also spotlights the many ways youth in St. Landry Parish are
engaging in 4-H Science programs year-round.
The 2015 activity was designed by
Oregon State University Cooperative Extension in partnership with Vernier
Software & Technology and selected as the winning experiment for the eighth
annual 4-H NYSD. The event’s national sponsors are Hughes (HughesNet satellite
Internet), Lockheed Martin and U.S. Cellular.
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